The Redlands Police Department's Cessna 172, called Redhawk 1, has been patrolling the city since 2007 - with a very tiny price tag, said Lt. Shawn Ryan, who leads the city's air support unit. The used 1967 Cessna cost the city's general fund nothing - it was purchased with drug asset forfeiture funds. And since then, its maintenance, gasoline, insurance have also come from drug asset forfeiture funds. (www.redlandsdailyfacts.com) עוד...

In an era in this country where every Municipality, County, state and Federal official seems to need to by all the biggest and most expensive toys at substantial cost to the taxpayer...a round of applause. Our local volunteer fire department bought a new hook and ladder truck for close to 1/4 million with their selling point being it was ohh so necessary to have a ladder that reached 100 feet. The only thing that high within a 100 mile radius are farm silos...This is systemic to the nation.We are all going broke due to this mentality..OPM.

Overkill is the new norm. 30 years ago it took 20+ min. To respond. Today it takes 20+ to respond. Nature of the beast as relates to volunteer FD's. doesn't matter if they got a 200' ladder and 500 hp engine. Instant just doesn't happen and never will.

great idea and use of forfeited funds....a whole lot simpler and cheaper than all those drones everyone wants and this actually has the potential of helping pilots rather law enforcement minded or commercial pilot minded gain valuable and affordable flight time.

They need to be thankful that they have access to that drug money. Lot's of cash strapped jurisdictions take the drug money into the general fund and would raise the roof giving it back and cause somebody to holler "we can't afford this". They are fortunate

Yeah, I been up there just doin' enough to stay current, mostly in the King Air. That CRJ should be done around 12/1. We figure a shakedown flight or 2 but doubt there'll be much serious going until after the 1st of the year.